Created in 2008 by religious historian, scholar and best-selling author, Karen Armstrong, the Charter for Compassion is a global, cooperative effort to restore not only compassionate thinking but, more importantly, compassionate action to the center of religious, moral and political life. Over 2 million people worldwide have signed the Charter. Grounded in a self-organizing structure of best practices, the Charter for Compassion organization engages individuals and communities in collaborative partnerships in compassion.
The Sisters, Associates and Companions of the Divine Compassion affirmed the exploration of Charter for Compassion in 2020, and began to organize internally to develop a local initiative. In 2022, a Collaboration for Compassion (CfC) Advisory Committee, including Sisters, Associates, Companions and Alumnae, was established, and early research about establishing a Community of Compassion pilot program in White Plains began.
In 2023, the Divine Compassion Community, including Sisters, Associates and Compassion, became members of the Charter for Compassion organization. Members of the CfC Advisory Committee met with government officials, nonprofit and membership organizations, corporate citizens and more to:
- Identify “discomforts” in the White Plains community—those issues that are causing pain and suffering to individuals or groups or the entire community—which can be addressed and relieved through compassionate action.
- Find out what is already being done, or has been done, to address the most challenging issues in White Plains, and learn what has worked and not worked, and, recognize and acknowledge those successes.
- Invite people to join us in creating a Community of Compassion in order to give voice and services to people in need in White Plains.
We learned that homelessness/housing insecurity is one of the top concerns in the White Plains community. With insight from various experts, as well as community advocates, the Divine Compassion Community began a collaborative, pilot initiative to create a Community of Compassion, focused on addressing homelessness/housing insecurity in White Plains.
In December 2023, we expanded our Collaboration for Compassion Advisory Committee to include professionals from the government, health care, faith-based, nonprofit and corporate/business sectors, and hosted our kickoff meeting to discuss and identify priority focus areas for the initiative.
In January 2024, our proposal to create a Community of Compassion initiative in White Plains was reviewed and approved by the Charter for Compassion organization. In February 2024, representatives from the Charter provided guidance on best practices for consideration as we move forward.
Our Collaboration for Compassion Advisory Committee in White Plains has prioritized our objectives on advocating on behalf of those facing homelessness and housing insecurity in Westchester County. We are working to address the current policy that requires those living in shelters to pay more than 90% of their earnings to New York State.
Join us in our efforts. Individuals, families and all organizations can join the Charter for Compassion! Learn more at charterforcompassion.org.